Hey, Liz! So amazing to see how great you're looking, and how comfortable you are. Thanks for all the reassurance that all went well. You are a real trooper, taking us along with you as you prepared for this Major Life Event, and continuing with the status reports as you begin recovery.

I understand that a key to the best recovery us to allow yourself plenty of rest. May you take full advantage of the opportunities.

Hi Liz, congratulations for achieving this wonderful moment in your life. I wish you a speedy recovery so you can settle into your new life. I’m sorry for not being present here in the forum to offer you my support in the lead up to your surgery.

I am in Masada Hospital arrived here yesterday after transferring from Knox. My first post was from ICU the nurses were fantastic and my care was superb. The whole being nursed at no higher than 30degrees seemed to cause confusion with a couple of the nurses wanting to sit me up...I refused to go above 30 but in the end I was at their mercy. I was not allowed to do anything for myself but was assisted with everything..brilliant

Things started to go wrong after getting back to the ward where the next 24-48hrs were nothing short of hell. I will give a couple of examples but just bare in mind that these are indicative of the overall care.

I was feeling so good that I didnt really care what the nurses were doing but 48hrs after leaving ICU I had still not even been offered a face washer. I had to ask for some water to clean my dentures in which was still sitting there on my tray 16hrs later. I hope you get the idea. There a number of things but bottom line it was very poor....Obvious question...Why not complain? I did once a few years ago and this got the nurses off side and my remaining time in hospital was hell. Considering the level of care I was getting I was concerned this was going to happen again.

The other thing (I am sure any of the girls who have had GCS will know what I mean) I just felt so great, content beyond my expectations, I’m me!! So I didn’t really care that much initially. Eventually I had no choice the care was so appalling I began to get uncomfortable...but the less I said the less care I got. I was so uncomfortable that I just stopped communicating and began to withdraw...as a result my medication use went through the roof...when Asked, I simply said...I had to get comfortable and I used the medication to do it....I had no significant pain really from about day 2.5....

Yesterday morning after having high pitched IV and PCA alarms ringing at me for 15minutes and then escalating to a single loud tone(8 mins)...the nurse came in and said sorry have to wait till after handover(another 15- 20 min)...she had to raise her voice significantly to be heard over the noise Of the alarm...I then begged her to just turn off the machine until it could be fixed..she wouldn’t so I told her unless she did I was going to rip the IV and catheter out and waddle up the corridor on my own to get away from it...she turned it off...They came back 30minutes later and fixed my IV’s No one came near me again until the NUM turned up.

The Nursing Unit Manager sat down and we talked. Suffice to say that she was appalled at the care I had been given. At one point I thought she was going to cry. She then took over my care until discharge to Masada which was great.

The NUM was still apologising to me when the ambulance guys took me to Masada...I felt a bit sorry for her because after we talked I have no doubt what a good nurse she was.

Masada is just so different..I can imagine had I been here in the first place the care would have been amazingly good.

Mr Ives has been brilliant and will also follow up....there is no reason there should be any confusion about how I am to be cared for.

How do I feel?

Complete...Me...Liz...like it should always have been that way....I can only assume that for most people you feel a certain familiarity with yourself and know that you are you....for us none of this quite fits that well, a bit like trying to put the lid on a container that is to big to take it. Hard to put you finger on...its like that internal argument has finally been settled...deep down where we all live.

Take care Everyone

Liz

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HRT since 17 May 2016,Fulltime from 8 March 2017,Transition Begun 25 September 2015GCS 4 December 2018,

Liz, I'm sorry to hear that your first few days of care were so poor. I'm glad that it didn't significantly reduce the joy you are feeling at finally becoming Liz. I do understand the feeling you are trying to describe, somehow the world always felt a bit off-center, like you were playing a role in a movie that made no sense -- as though you had a different script than everyone else. Now you are reading from the same script, and the world suddenly makes sense (such as it is). I am so happy for you.

I am glad your care has significantly improved, and I hope your recovery is going well. Thanks for the update, and get some rest. The world will be waiting for you in the morning.

OMG, I’m sorry to hear about the poor care. What a scary thing to have to deal with. I’m glad it’s better now, but there was no excuse for it. Hopefully the NUM will address it and it’ll never happen again.

Now that you’re getting better care, relax and heal. I’m doing the same - on my own now, and on a much smaller scale, of course, but in a beautiful setting. Healing gets better every day.

Keep us up to date, and again, congratulations!

Stephanie

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Assigned male at birth 1958 * Began envying sister 1963 * Knew unquestioningly that I was female 1968 * Acted the male part for 50 years * Meltdown and first therapist session May 2017 * Began HRT 6/21/17 * Out to the world 10/13/17 * Name Change 12/7/2017 (Girl Harbor Day) * FFS With FacialTeam 12/4/2018 * GCS with Marci Bowers 9/25/2019

I am in Masada Hospital arrived here yesterday after transferring from Knox. My first post was from ICU the nurses were fantastic and my care was superb.

Yay!

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Things started to go wrong after getting back to the ward where the next 24-48hrs were nothing short of hell.

Booooooo!

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The other thing (I am sure any of the girls who have had GCS will know what I mean) I just felt so great, content beyond my expectations, I’m me!!

Yes! Yes!

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The Nursing Unit Manager sat down and we talked. Suffice to say that she was appalled at the care I had been given. At one point I thought she was going to cry. She then took over my care until discharge to Masada which was great.

That confirmation must have been so reassuring! And comforting! And healing!

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How do I feel?

Complete...Me...Liz...like it should always have been that way....I can only assume that for most people you feel a certain familiarity with yourself and know that you are you....for us none of this quite fits that well, a bit like trying to put the lid on a container that is to big to take it. Hard to put you finger on...its like that internal argument has finally been settled...deep down where we all live.

Hooray for this resolution! Savor it! Be emboldened by it! May you feel more free to let out a girlish giggle each time you delight in your synchronicity.

To everyone who has posted to me on this thread thank you so much...I will probably not get to reply to each and every one of you individually and for that I apologise. But to all of you waking up and reaching for my phone or iPad and seeing all the support I have been shown is truly humbling. EVERY single message helped me...all of them and especially when things were going bad at Knox they meant so much to me...on occasion bringing me to tears...Thank you...all of you!

Mr Ives was here again this morning...he has been in to see me every day this week between 6 and 7am. He is lovely and has greeted me each time with a big smile and whilst holding my hand says “How are you Lizzy my love...” and has been very warm and caring from day 1. I am allowed up and about walking as I can tolerate...above 30 degrees elevation whilst in bed is Okay but not something I want to do now LOL Drains,IV and catheter out tomorrow...if all is well and If I can poop, pee and dialate then I will be discharged Tuesday.

Speaking with the my nurse and she wants to be with me the first couple of times I walk until she is sure I can mange on my own....I walked about 150m this morning and fell exhausted into bed straight after...wow I am so glad I was fit before I started, I can’t imagine how awful it would be. Whilst we were walking and talking I asked her if I was on track with my recovery or should I be further ahead...she laughed and said you are well ahead of many of the women she has looked after and she was astounded at what a high pain tolerance I had....Good to know I am on track.

Bit of a Liz issue last night....had one of my famous “vivid” nightmares that were so devastating a few years ago...these days I dont usually remember them and this time I only have a fleeting Idea what it was about but I did come too standing beside the bed, I stood on my drain but apart from it being OUCH I did no permanent damage....got sprung by the night nurse as I stood (cursing at my drain)clutching my tray table...long story short...back to bed with rails up and frequent “checks” to see I am Okay..

I am so tired just from writing this and my walk that I will finish now and update again after dressing removal tomorrow

Take careLiz

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HRT since 17 May 2016,Fulltime from 8 March 2017,Transition Begun 25 September 2015GCS 4 December 2018,

Despite any discomfort or issues with your care, it is easy to see that you are appreciating the change that has occurred for you. That is the part that you will remember and cherish when this is over. For this I am very happy for you. The nice thing is, no one can take this moment away from you either. Now rest and get better. Big hugs!Monica

To everyone who has posted to me on this thread thank you so much...I will probably not get to reply to each and every one of you individually and for that I apologise. But to all of you waking up and reaching for my phone or iPad and seeing all the support I have been shown is truly humbling. EVERY single message helped me...all of them and especially when things were going bad at Knox they meant so much to me...on occasion bringing me to tears...Thank you...all of you!

Mr Ives was here again this morning...he has been in to see me every day this week between 6 and 7am. He is lovely and has greeted me each time with a big smile and whilst holding my hand says “How are you Lizzy my love...” and has been very warm and caring from day 1. I am allowed up and about walking as I can tolerate...above 30 degrees elevation whilst in bed is Okay but not something I want to do now LOL Drains,IV and catheter out tomorrow...if all is well and If I can poop, pee and dialate then I will be discharged Tuesday.

Speaking with the my nurse and she wants to be with me the first couple of times I walk until she is sure I can mange on my own....I walked about 150m this morning and fell exhausted into bed straight after...wow I am so glad I was fit before I started, I can’t imagine how awful it would be. Whilst we were walking and talking I asked her if I was on track with my recovery or should I be further ahead...she laughed and said you are well ahead of many of the women she has looked after and she was astounded at what a high pain tolerance I had....Good to know I am on track.

Bit of a Liz issue last night....had one of my famous “vivid” nightmares that were so devastating a few years ago...these days I dont usually remember them and this time I only have a fleeting Idea what it was about but I did come too standing beside the bed, I stood on my drain but apart from it being OUCH I did no permanent damage....got sprung by the night nurse as I stood (cursing at my drain)clutching my tray table...long story short...back to bed with rails up and frequent “checks” to see I am Okay..

I am so tired just from writing this and my walk that I will finish now and update again after dressing removal tomorrow

Take careLiz

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Not expecting a reply Liz. Just want to pass on my get well soon and best wishes. I think many of us are so blown away and grateful for your blow by blow account of what the GRS experience really is.

Often we see someone report all the way to hospital and then just disappear- not good old Liz though.

Often we are left wondering if everything went good or bad! It was so reassuring to hear that the post op experience is affirming and relieving. Apart from pain and healing it must fantastic to the point of being surreal.

Thank you so much for putting it out there. My thoughts are with you, Kirsten.

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As a child prayed to be a girl- now the prayer is being answered - 40 years later !

Lovely report Liz! I’m so glad you’re doing so well now. I guess I’d better start getting into shape. Being physically fit before surgery seems to make a huge difference - Kendra walked to breakfast with us four days after her GCS. I’ll never be as fit as her, but I can try to get close.

Wow, those must be some dreams you have! Yes, put the rails up! Standing on the drain - oh my!!

Listen to your nurse, dear, and build up your strength slowly. It’s so cool you’ll be able to leave soon, but don’t let them boot you before you’re ready!

Take care!

Stephanie

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Assigned male at birth 1958 * Began envying sister 1963 * Knew unquestioningly that I was female 1968 * Acted the male part for 50 years * Meltdown and first therapist session May 2017 * Began HRT 6/21/17 * Out to the world 10/13/17 * Name Change 12/7/2017 (Girl Harbor Day) * FFS With FacialTeam 12/4/2018 * GCS with Marci Bowers 9/25/2019

Assigned male at birth 1958 * Began envying sister 1963 * Knew unquestioningly that I was female 1968 * Acted the male part for 50 years * Meltdown and first therapist session May 2017 * Began HRT 6/21/17 * Out to the world 10/13/17 * Name Change 12/7/2017 (Girl Harbor Day) * FFS With FacialTeam 12/4/2018 * GCS with Marci Bowers 9/25/2019